Mouthful: Head to McEvoy Ranch for 'Wine + Boots'

11/15/2007:D2: The upper garden at McEvoy Ranch in the hills west of Petaluma. The ranch's olive mill can be seen in operation Sunday.

4/22/2006:D1: On a soggy day, visitors tour the upper garden at McEvoy Ranch in the coastal hills west of Petaluma. The ranch is best known for its olive oils, but for the first time, owner Nan McEvoy's personal gardens are being opened for public tours. The tour includes McEvoy's kitchen and greenhouses.

PC: 1 of 7-- On a soggy day, visitors tour the upper garden at McEvoy Ranch In the coastal hills west of Petaluma. Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat

BY MICHELE ANNA JORDAN

FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

May 22, 2014, 1:28AM

05/22/2014

<strong>McEvoy Ranch Fete:</strong> McEvoy Ranch, located in the tumbling hills south of Petaluma, is open to the general public this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. to celebrate the release of its 2013 Rosebud, a dry ros?of pinot noir and syrah.

"Wine + Boots," as the party has been christened, will also debut the farm's 2013 extra virgin olive oil.

Festivities include live music, bocce, raffles and yummy nibbles from Thistle Meats of Petaluma and Toluma Farms of Tomales.

Cost is $45 for the general public and $20 for wine club members. The price includes a $15 voucher that may be applied to the purchase of wine.

Children are welcome but must be at least 10 years old. Pets may not attend and there is no shaded parking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes good for walking on unstable surfaces.

This is the eighth annual fete, and this year, it benefits the Valley Ford Volunteer Fire Department and CropMobster.

Doors open to the public at noon. At 1 p.m., the music kicks off with the Church Marching Band, followed by Mr. December, Lucky Drive Bluegrass Band, a second line parade with the Church Marching Band, Frankie Boots and the County Line and, wrapping things up from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., Arann Harris and the Farm Band.

You may want to bring a cooler, too, for produce purchases, as Bloomfield Farm will set up a stall. CropMobster will offer information about their food waste and hunger relief program, and Valley Ford volunteer firefighters will set up a first aid and relief tent and sell T-shirts.

Things begin at 9 p.m. and you should arrive no later than 10 p.m. Bring warm clothing and a small flashlight. There will be docents on hand to provide red cellophane to cover your flashlight, as white light diminishes night vision. You may bring refreshments, but alcohol is not allowed.

Admission is $3 for adults, plus an $8 parking fee. The observatory is located at 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood.

<strong>Gewurztraminer Release Party:</strong> On Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., Robert Rue Vineyard and Winery (1406 Wood Road, Fulton) celebrates the release of its 2013 Gewurztraminer, which will be paired with deep-fried turkey sliders.

The winery produced just 25 cases of this wine, which is completely dry, a quality that both makes it very food friendly and allows the flavors of the grape itself to blossom.

The work of two local artists, Peggy Sebera and Linda Bones, will be on display.

Admission is free. Wines will be available for purchase by the glass and by the bottle.

<strong>Bodega Bay Farmers Market Opens:</strong> On Sunday morning, the Bodega Bay Farmers Market, an all-volunteer nonprofit venture, kicks off its 2014 season, with about 20 vendors, live music and yummy foods for breakfast or lunch on the spot.

The market, which takes place at 2255 Highway 1, is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October.

<strong>The Heartbreak Grape:</strong> If you've been hoping to snag a VIP ticket to this weekend's Russian River Valley Pinot Classic or attend the Neighborhoods of Russian River Seminar, you may indeed have your heart broken, as both are sold out.

However, as of press time, tickets remained for designated drivers ($20), Passport to Pinot on Saturday and Sunday ($65) and Sunday only ($40). There also were a few tickets to the Pinot Classic Paulee Dinner ($250) on Saturday night at DeLoach Vineyards.

The Pinot Classic celebrates Russian River Valley pinot noir. The varietal, notorious for the temperamental ways that earned it a reputation as the "heartbreak grape," thrives in the cool coastal climate of the Russian River Valley, with its marine fog and long growing season. It is considered one of the best regions in the world for this wily, seductive grape.

<strong>McEvoy Ranch Fete:</strong> McEvoy Ranch, located in the tumbling hills south of Petaluma, is open to the general public this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. to celebrate the release of its 2013 Rosebud, a dry ros?of pinot noir and syrah.

"Wine + Boots," as the party has been christened, will also debut the farm's 2013 extra virgin olive oil.

Festivities include live music, bocce, raffles and yummy nibbles from Thistle Meats of Petaluma and Toluma Farms of Tomales.

Cost is $45 for the general public and $20 for wine club members. The price includes a $15 voucher that may be applied to the purchase of wine.

Children are welcome but must be at least 10 years old. Pets may not attend and there is no shaded parking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes good for walking on unstable surfaces.

This is the eighth annual fete, and this year, it benefits the Valley Ford Volunteer Fire Department and CropMobster.

Doors open to the public at noon. At 1 p.m., the music kicks off with the Church Marching Band, followed by Mr. December, Lucky Drive Bluegrass Band, a second line parade with the Church Marching Band, Frankie Boots and the County Line and, wrapping things up from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., Arann Harris and the Farm Band.

You may want to bring a cooler, too, for produce purchases, as Bloomfield Farm will set up a stall. CropMobster will offer information about their food waste and hunger relief program, and Valley Ford volunteer firefighters will set up a first aid and relief tent and sell T-shirts.

Cost is $100 per person, which includes all charges. Seating is quite limited; to snag a reservation, call 431-8000 ext. 1.

<strong>Star Party:</strong> Friday, the Robert Ferguson Observatory hosts a special Star Party. If you are hoping to see the Camelopardalid meteor shower, this is a great opportunity.

Things begin at 9 p.m. and you should arrive no later than 10 p.m. Bring warm clothing and a small flashlight. There will be docents on hand to provide red cellophane to cover your flashlight, as white light diminishes night vision. You may bring refreshments, but alcohol is not allowed.

Admission is $3 for adults, plus an $8 parking fee. The observatory is located at 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood.

<strong>Gewurztraminer Release Party:</strong> On Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., Robert Rue Vineyard and Winery (1406 Wood Road, Fulton) celebrates the release of its 2013 Gewurztraminer, which will be paired with deep-fried turkey sliders.

The winery produced just 25 cases of this wine, which is completely dry, a quality that both makes it very food friendly and allows the flavors of the grape itself to blossom.

The work of two local artists, Peggy Sebera and Linda Bones, will be on display.

Admission is free. Wines will be available for purchase by the glass and by the bottle.

<strong>Bodega Bay Farmers Market Opens:</strong> On Sunday morning, the Bodega Bay Farmers Market, an all-volunteer nonprofit venture, kicks off its 2014 season, with about 20 vendors, live music and yummy foods for breakfast or lunch on the spot.

The market, which takes place at 2255 Highway 1, is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October.

<strong>The Heartbreak Grape:</strong> If you've been hoping to snag a VIP ticket to this weekend's Russian River Valley Pinot Classic or attend the Neighborhoods of Russian River Seminar, you may indeed have your heart broken, as both are sold out.

However, as of press time, tickets remained for designated drivers ($20), Passport to Pinot on Saturday and Sunday ($65) and Sunday only ($40). There also were a few tickets to the Pinot Classic Paulee Dinner ($250) on Saturday night at DeLoach Vineyards.

The Pinot Classic celebrates Russian River Valley pinot noir. The varietal, notorious for the temperamental ways that earned it a reputation as the "heartbreak grape," thrives in the cool coastal climate of the Russian River Valley, with its marine fog and long growing season. It is considered one of the best regions in the world for this wily, seductive grape.